[Greens-Media] More action on whaling needed

[Norton, Tim (Sen R. Siewert)]

More action on whaling needed
Monday 29th December 2008

The Australian Greens today called on the Minister for the Environment
Peter Garrett to explain why Japanese whalers were in Australian
Antarctic waters and whether any whales were taken in Australian waters.

"Japanese whalers were found in Australian waters by the Sea Shepherd
group, and were unable to kill any whales while they were being pursued
... but how many whales were taken before they were found?" asked
Senator Rachel Siewert, Australian Greens spokesperson on whaling.

"The Australian Government is not monitoring the whale slaughter this
season, and implied that no monitoring activity would be needed because
the Japanese wouldn't be operating in Australian waters this season."

"However, the Japanese fleet were found in our waters. What were they
doing there and how many whales did they butcher while they were there?"


"The Australian Government's approach to whaling to date hasn't saved
any whales, they still haven't committed to any international legal
action and failed to undertake any monitoring this season" said Senator
Siewert.

"If it wasn't for the Sea Shepherd group we wouldn't even have known the
Japanese whaling fleet were in Australian waters. There is nothing to
stop them from returning if they give the Steve Irwin the slip. This is
simply not good enough."

"It is time the Government took some real action - or came clean and
admitted they have abandoned their election promises of whaling,"
concluded Senator Siewert. 

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